Whoosh on a mountain bike down rain forest reads a heartbeat away from a slash in the earth so awesome that Mark Twain nicknamed it the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Snuggle into the roots of gargantuan Morton Bay Fig trees in Lawa’i and Allerton Gardens, where dinosaurs “laid” their eggs during the filming of Jurassic Park. Or kick back on one of forty-five incredible beaches lead­ing to adventures down under, where Picasso-painted fish with electric-blue lips dart about coral reefs.

Welcome to Kauai, the Garden Island, where the pace of life is easy­going, movie locations are epic and the aloha mat is permanently laid out to visitors. Come for a honeymoon, a meeting, an adventure or sheer re­laxation—but be prepared to plant a few roots. This is an island rich in culture, history and legends. Tap into it and you will unlock the best time of your life.